Interview Scott Funston
Winning 2 titles after a year with almost no racing. It must be an incredible feeling. U23 rider Scott Funston represents both his country and continent through the season and at the worldchampionships on home soil. After his first elite European campaign, he's more ready then ever to set a big performance in the end of January. He showed that he can peak towards his goals like no other. Get to know a rider to watch in Fayetteville!
You finished your domestic campaign with a Pan-American & national U23 title, how did it feel to take 2 titles in one week?
Winning two titles in the space of a week felt amazing. It has been a long time since I won a national championship so to earn not one but two jerseys was special. The way I won the races was very different, Pan Ams came down to a sprint finish while nationals I attacked early and finished with a big lead. So to experience two different styles of winning was fun.
Last Winter, you could only ride a few smaller races because of the corona pandemic, how did you experience this period with only few competition?
Last season was very different than most. I was only able to get 10 race days in during 2020 and half of those were mountain bike races. Luckily, the few cross races I was able to do in Colorado I had several other strong riders to compete against, including Eric Brunner the now elite national champion. So the few races I did were high quality and helped prepare me for this season. I did target a few Strava segments throughout the year to scratch my competitive itch. Additionally, I am part of the Colorado Mesa University collegiate cycling team that has many strong riders on it so I had lots of fast people to train with during the break from racing.
This season, you took part in your first elite & U23 races in Europe, Are you statisfied with your European campaign?
I am satisfied with how my European trip went. It took me a couple races to find my legs. I wanted more out of the U23 world cups in Namur and Dendermonde but being my first time in Europe since I was a junior, I might have been a bit overambitous with my expectation for those races. However, I am very happy with how I rode at Baal and Hulst. Overcoming some mechanicals to finish in the top 10 in Baal and to ride really strong in the top 30 in the elites at Hulst before I faded in the last lap were performances I am proud of. To see the progression throughout the trip and to have a couple strong rides has given me confidence I am on track for a good race at the World Championships.
You'll take part at the Worlds on home soil in your birthday weekend. What are your ambitions?
My goal for the race is to finish in the top 10. The team relay is also cool new addition to the world championship weekend. They have not selected the team for the relay but I think the US has an outside chance at a medal so if I am selected I hope we can make it to the podium. Since I race on Saturday I am also looking forward to specating the races on Sunday. While the crowd will not be the size of a traditional World Championship in Europe I think the Americans will show their enthusiasm for cross and it will be a fun atmosphere to be apart of on Sunday.
What are your ambitions for later in 2022?
I have not given too much thought to the rest of 2022 because I have been focused on this season and my goal for worlds. I plan to race cyclocross as my primary discipline with some mountain bike and road in the spring/ summer to build fitness for the cross season. Right now the two goals I have for my first year in the elites would be a top 20 at a World Cup and a podium at US nationals. But there is some time for those to change or evolve once I finish worlds and really evaluate where I am at. Outside of cycling I will be graduating college with a degree in Mechanical Engineering so I am looking forward to having my undergrad completed.
How did you start racing as a child?
My dad raced amateur mountain bike and cyclocross races so he was my route into the sport. I started racing BMX when I was 6. When I got a little older my parents bought me a mountain bike and I started riding the trails near my house. I really enjoyed mountain biking so I started racing it and did some cross races on my mountain bike. When I was about 10 I began moving more and more towards the mountain bike and cyclocross races and away from bmx racing.
Who were/are your cycling idols?
Adam Craig is certainly a rider I looked up when I was younger and one that I would love to model my career off of. He seemed to be able to excel at any kind of off road racing from World Cup XC to cyclocross and even enduro before it became more downhill oriented. Yet, he seemed to not take racing or himself too seriously. Jeremy Powers was probably the most influential cross racer when I was younger. I loved watching his behind the barriers videos. Finally I have to say Jonathan Page is a bit of an idol for me. Of course he was an amazing racer but I take the most inspiration from the fact that he’s the only American to ever commit full time to living in Europe. I believe if an American ever wants to reach the highest level in cross they need to live full time in Europe but it’s a huge commitment and Page is the only one to ever take that step so I admire him for it.
What are your ambitions on a long term?
Long term ambitions are something I haven’t given a lot of thought to. To be honest, the economic landscape of cyclocross in the US right now is not great. Before my success this season I didn’t really plan on racing past my last year as U23. I thought I would just get a job and race for fun locally. So even making enough money from racing to pay rent and buy groceries without a part time job on the side is a goal I have. Off the top of my head, winning an elite national championship would be a carrer defining victory and is something I believe is within my capabilities. As I eluded to earlier if I found myself in the position to move to Europe and race full time it is something I would like to try for a couple years. Only then do I think I would be able of finding what my true ceiling is in international level cyclocross.
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